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Beckett flame retention clogging

Prev1
Prev1 Member Posts: 6
in Oil Heating
Hello,

I am a homeowner who has always maintained my own furnace. I have recently had an issue with the flame retention ring clogging up. I had a service technician service it with no luck. We have changed the filters, nozzle and reset all specs including checking the pump pressure and tested the unit with his meters.

He said it was and is running well/efficiently. I checked the chimney, and it seems clear based on having it take in air at the bottom clean outdoor door when running or not. There is no back pressure there. I vacuumed that out too.

Originally the filter in the pump was clogged (for some reason, I hadn't changed it this season) He figured the flame retention gunk was from starvation for fuel and since the filter didn't solve it, he recommended blowing the lines out.

Before I did that, which can do and have done years ago, I wanted to see if this is the right next step.

The unit is a Buderus positive pressure unit with a beckett burner.

Thanks for any input.

Attached is a photo.


Comments

  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 3,025
    What type flame pattern ? B,W or A

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  • Prev1
    Prev1 Member Posts: 6
    Big Ed_4 said:

    What type flame pattern ? B,W or A

    1.35 45B solid. I have attached a picture of the factory info on the blower. I have used the factory nozzle since install about 3 years ago.




  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,505
    edited June 2023
    Are you sure the band is on '1'?
    I think it just not set up right. Maybe Z dimension, maybe draft, maybe not enough pre/post purge.
    Did your supplier start selling you fuel with a higher bio content?
    Did something change in your house regarding combustion air?

    "He said it was and is running well/efficiently". Got any numbers?

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

    MaxMercy
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 3,025
    Try changing it to a W nozzle , more forgiven with the oils of today . I assuming you set up the Beckett from Buderus settings .

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Prev1
    Prev1 Member Posts: 6
    STEVEusaPA said:

    Are you sure the band is on '1'?
    I think it just not set up right. Maybe Z dimension, maybe draft, maybe not enough pre/post purge.
    Did your supplier start selling you fuel with a higher bio content?
    Did something change in your house regarding combustion air?

    "He said it was and is running well/efficiently". Got any numbers?

    Not sure what could be off about the setup, I did it with a micrometer and a custom marked becket aluminum gauge and the tech set it up himself too. Regarding the draft, I am not sure how that works with a positive pressure boiler, there is no draft flap? It worked fine for a couple years.

    No change in the fuel or the supplier.
    I don't have the numbers, but whatever the tech checked was right on spec. The efficiency was something like 82, but I can't recall for certain.
    No change in combustion air, it's a fan in a can with normal flow.
  • Prev1
    Prev1 Member Posts: 6
    Big Ed_4 said:

    Try changing it to a W nozzle , more forgiven with the oils of today . I assuming you set up the Beckett from Buderus settings .

    Can do, will wait for the rest of any input from you experts and then give it a try.

    Do you think that it could be cavitation with the fuel due to partially clogged lines? That is what the tech suggested, a fuel problem. (The lines were changed from the tank at my request when the furnace was installed 3 years ago.)
  • Prev1
    Prev1 Member Posts: 6
    MikeAmann said:

    How clean is the fan?

    The tube and fan are clean of any oil or other residue.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,387
    What model Buderus and Beckett?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • MaxMercy
    MaxMercy Member Posts: 518
    I wonder if the clean cut solenoid is stuck open.
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,342
    Steamhead said:
    What model Buderus and Beckett?
    It's a Beckett CF375 with what Should be a G215-5. Big boiler. 

    It specs a 3.5" insertion and it looks like the end cone is in the chamber. If the burner has the flange welded to the air tube, I assume it's correct. 

    The settings they give are just a starting point. The analyzer, smoke gun, and draft gauge has the final say.


  • jringel
    jringel Member Posts: 40
    did your supplier increase the percentage of biofuel in their mix?
    John Ringel Energy Kinetics
  • Dave Carpentier
    Dave Carpentier Member Posts: 620
    Would a bad coupler (driveshaft) between motor and pump cause this with slippage after it warms up for a while (ie, appears good while testing) ?
    30+ yrs in telecom outside plant.
    Currently in building maintenance.
  • MaxMercy
    MaxMercy Member Posts: 518
    Dave Carpentier said:

    Would a bad coupler (driveshaft) between motor and pump cause this with slippage after it warms up for a while (ie, appears good while testing) ?

    The couplers I've seen that heat up and quit will start spinning and lose all grip on the pump shaft so they shut down in less than a minute.
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,407
    Has anyone checked the fuel pressure at the nozzle port? 170 PSI

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • Prev1
    Prev1 Member Posts: 6
    Not at the nozzle port. The pump pressure itself was checked. Are you saying that the pressure reading at the pump might not be the pressure at the nozzle? Maybe just explain that a bit for a layperson. Thanks
  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 3,025
    170# needed on the Beckett for the Buderus. wow , What is the Riello/Buderus pump setting, I can't remember ...

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,342
    How's the draft? Buderus only wants a -.02 breach. 
    We really need those combustion numbers. You should've gotten a printout or email. 
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 6,342
    Big Ed_4 said:
    170# needed on the Beckett for the Buderus. wow , What is the Riello/Buderus pump setting, I can't remember ...
    Riello F10, 1.35 60°B at 160 psi for the G215-5.

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